Definitely San Sebastián, can't be many better places on the planet. The food capital of Spain, if not all of Europe. 17 Michelin stars in town. The world's most famous chef, Ferran Adrià of El Bulli, considers San Sebastián to be "the best place to eat in the world in terms of the average quality of the food, in terms of what you can get at any place you happen to walk into". Any small pintxos bar less than excelllent would be out of business in two weeks. Some of the finest city beaches in Europe: http://marshlands.blogstream.com/

All about going for the famous pintxos in food-crazy San Sebastián: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

Fly from Barcelona to Bilbao with Vueling from some 30€ in one hour. Five flights daily. Direct bus from Bilbao airport to San Sebastián in 75 mins. Leaves once an hour.
http://www.vueling.com/EN/

One of the favourite holiday destinations for the Spanish themselves also because of the cooler temperatures.

San Sebastián celebrates its annual Aste Nagusia/Big Week from 13th to 20th of August: http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=182281

Can't be much more romantic than rounding off a pintxos night in the Parte vieja/Old town with a drink at seafront Café de la Concha. Spectacular if thunderstorms! http://www.cafedelaconcha.com/home.htm

Fantastic views over the beautiful coastline from 3 Michelin star Akelarre. Book way ahead: http://gastronomyblog.com/2010/06/04/akelarre-san-sebastian/

Would also recommend a romantic lunch in nearby, small and pictoresque San Juan/Donibane. Several excellent waterfront restaurants, some of them with great value lunch menus.
http://www.euroresidentes.com/euroresiuk/Spanish_villages/san-juan.htm

Or perhaps fantastic fish and seafood in Getaria, also close to San Sebastián. Had the meal of my life in the harbour here in 1996. Something like this: http://thepauperedchef.com/2007/12/elkano-in-getar.html

... and a nice report from a pintxos night in San Sebastián. I prefer some of the more traditional places, but you can't do much wrong choosing among the some 100 bars in the small old town. http://gastronomyblog.com/2010/06/14/san-sebastian-pintxos-crawl-bar-zeruko-a-fuego-negro-gandarias-taberna/

How do you pronounce "pintxos"?

kenav,

pintxos is plural of pintxo. Here you can hear the pronounciation: http://www.forvo.com/word/pintxo/

bookmarking

Interesting. The two speakers of the "pintxo" word on the link kimhe sent, pronounce it sightly differently. The female - "peentso" and the male - "peento".

San Sebastian, no question.

kenav,

regarding the pronounciation, you should have that ts/ch-sound towards the end. Definitely no "peento".

Thanks so much for your help! Also--while in Barcelona, should we try and stay closer to Ramblas or the Cathedral? Or are they close???

>>>while in Barcelona, should we try and stay closer to Ramblas or the Cathedral? Or are they close???<<<

Yes, they are close. I would avoid Las Ramblas - very touristy, noisy, tacky and full of pickpockets.

I am not sure if a couple of excellent restaurants is sufficient to pick Donostia (formerly known as San Sebastian) as a destination. You have a similar array of Michelin-starred restaurants in Barcelona.

Do not drop Mallorca too quickly. It is a fascinating island with stunning scenery, several historic towns and lots to see and to do (IMO mnay more attractions than Donostia). And there are Michelin-starred restaurants too. There are wineries on Mallorca (e.g. in Binissalem).

Mallorca will be okay in August; Donostia probably a bit cooler. La Rioja will be VERY hot in August. If you consider La Rioja, visit Marques de Riscal. And if you decide for Donostia, you may cross the border and see Biarritz and drive the Corniche Basque. Or drive westwards. I especially like Santander and the dramatic coastline around Santander.

Echnaton,

Natives refer to their city as San Sebastián quite as often as Donostia, but they will all call themselves donostiarras. Basque (euskara/euskera) is first language for just a minority of people in the region. Has been a revival of euskara in the past years through the Ikastolas (primary and secondary schools) and universities, but the basque language has not by far got the standing as for example catalan in Catalunya. In San Sebastián the vast majority speak Spanish as their first language, and many would only have rudimentary if any knowledge of basque.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Basque_as_first_language(corrected).JPG

Tvmamasita,

As you know my fiance and I are planning our honeymoon in Barcelona and either San Sebastian or The Balearic Islands in May. I hope you don't mind me piggy-backing on your post

Fodorites,

Would you recommend San Sebastian for May as well? We are looking to enjoy time in an area with warmer tempuratures and like the idea of Majorca. The island, the small quaintness of the area and the beaches are what are stearing us there vs. San Sebastian.

We are very similar to Tvmamasita in our travel style and are also looking for a romantic, relaxing yet also unique location.

Also, would you suggest Bari Gottic or Eixample for our hotel stay while in Barcelona? I have read to stay away from Las Ramblas. We would like an area with shops, restaurants etc. but not filled with pick-pocketers and tourist traps.

I prefer the elegant Eixample, north of Catlunya, around street Rambla de Catlunya ( not Ramblas).

it is Catalunya

Having just returned from a week in Barcelona, I agree emphatically with Danon, who was very helpful to me in choosing an apartment.

For first-timers (unless you are nightlife hounds) I think that an ideal area is within a couple of blocks of the Passeig de Gracia or Rambla de Cataluyna, in either direction.

Thanks for the recs!
The_Marques--check out Mr and Mrs Smith website...they had great looking places in Barcelona. Also, I think we are leaning toward Mallorca for this trip.

http://www.mrandmrssmith.com